Archeologists have made use of new technologies to analyze gold used in precious gold artefacts discovered in Ireland. It has been found that the gold had not originated locally; it came from across the ocean in Cornwall and neighboring West Devon. This has been revealed by archeologists from the Universities of Bristol and Southampton.

It was estimated that nearly 200 kg of gold was extracted from rivers and streams of Cornwall between the 22nd and 17th century BC; however, so far, only a small proportion has been identified in approximately 270 gold artifacts together with jewelry, breast plates and plaques. According to experts, others were probably melted down afterward so as to make new items.

The gold that has been discovered in the south-west was probably less important compared to tin. The reason behind this could be that tin was mixed with copper to make bronze, used for making farming implements.

According to Southampton University's Dr Chris Standish, who conducted the metallurgical research, "The available evidence strongly suggests that in Bronze Age Cornwall and West Devon, tin wasn't obtained through mining, but was instead extracted from the areas' rivers, probably through panning or sophisticated damming and sluicing systems". However, he added that they also found gold in addition to finding tin in the sand and gravels of the streams and rivers.

According to reports, sheep fleeces may have been used to extract the gold from streams. Gold has also been found close to Stonehenge and in North Wales; it is thought that local rulers may have worn capes covered in gold.